Fluid meter



A. C. CHRISTENSEN April 29 1924.

FLUID METER Fild April '28. 1921 I g V- .dzftoTVZW.

Patented Apr. 29, 1924.

UNITED STATES mm c. cmusrnnsmt, orcnrcaeo, Int-mole.

FLUID TER- Application illed April 28, 1321. Serial No. 465,322.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED C. Gnnis'mn- SEN, a-citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Chicago, in the county'of Cook and State ofIllinois, have invented a certain new and,

v usefu'l Improvement in Fluid Meters, of

\ earlier devices, particularly in its simplicity of action, in thesmall number of moving pump rotor B, inserted intermediate the ro--which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a meter for indicating the efiiciencyof aninternal combustion engine and particularly to a meter and means foroperating it, for indicating the efliciency of an automobile engine interms of mileage per gallon of fuel' consumed.

Inventors have in the ast developed flow meters which indicate t econsumption of fuel for any given period, and have com-- bined such flowmeters with the usual t pe of speedometer, so that the mileage per uelunit can be computed. M invention relates to an indicator which ma essuch computation unnecessary. It is an improvement over parts involved,and in the fact that it can easil be fitted into and be used with stockspee ometer parts and vacuum systems.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in the followingdrawings, wherein: I 3

Figure 1, is an elevation of the indicating mechanism and the means foroperating it,

with parts in outline, and parts broken Like parts are indicated by likecharacters throughout the drawings.

A is the usual speedometer, not the subject of this invention, which 1sactuated by the usual rotating member A A, which is enclosed withinencasin members A A. B is a casing with an interior cylindrical pumpchamber B, in which rotates a rotary Y tating members A A, and rotatingwith them; The ends are circular in cross section as at B B. Adjacentone end of the cylinder is a circumferential groove B. Adj acent orwithin this slot the rotor is cut through by two over-lapping cuts B B,in such wise that the thin intermediate strip of metal B" hasa springaction, and serves to against the ends of the pump chamber.

The chamber B is penetrated by two openings G, C. Of these, C leads,through the pipe 0 to the connection C in the gauge D which will laterbe described. The openin O which enters to the ump chamber ad acent thecircumferential groove B is connected with the pipe 0 which leads fromthe outlet C in the gauge D, These passages are so arranged that whenthe centrifugal pump is rotated there will be a flow from the pumpthrough the passage C to the gauge. 1

The gauge D is composed of anouter casing D, in which 'are'theconnections C, C I 1 with the pump above described. In the bottom of thecasing lies a thin disc D which serves to cover the inlet pass'a es, DD, when it is Wished to carry them t rough into the interior of thegauge at a polnt removed K fromthe outer connections C C; Compressedagainst a ledge D on the interior of by the vertical partitions l) D",which may be made integral with the disc I). There is a space D betweenthese partitions, within which is pivoted a movable vane D, which ismounted on a in D rotating in the hearing D ofthe disc D. There is aslight space between the inner ends of the partitions D D and ofthe'rotatin vane D", so that a fluid in one chamber wi 1 pass slowlythrough to the other chamber.

The pi e E, connected as at E to the gauge D, eads from a vacuum tanknot herein shown. The pipe E which-serves to connect the gauge to thecarburetor, is connected as at E to the gauge. It will be noted that thepivotal point of the rotating vane is in the vertical plane of thecenter of the fluid chamber, but sli htly below the center. F is anindicating ial and F is an indicating needle mounted on the pin D". Theplate of glass F is superim osed on the dial, spaced from it by a spacerand positioned by the containing rim F. The meter is marked asillustrated in Figure 2 to show the efiiciency of fuel consumption interms of-miles' per gallon.

While I have illustrated an operative mechanism, I wish my descriptionand drawings to be taken as in a sense diagrammatical and it is obviousthat great changes might be made in the size, number, relation anddisposition of parts, without departing from the spirit of my invention.It is obvious, for example, that other means might be used to seat therotor,-that oil proof packings would be used if and wherever necessary,and that other forms of pumps might be used, either driven directly bythe speedometer driving means, or otherwise responsive to the speed ofthe locomotion'of the vehicle.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows:

I provide a device for measuring the efficiency of an engine in terms ofthe milea e obtained pergallon consumed. It will be 0 vious that therate will fluctuate from time to time and under varying conditions ofWeight and load, but the operator will be easily able to follow thegeneral performance of his engine.

I construct my gauge with a fuel chamber, divided into two parts, with avane pivoted therein, one-half of which lies in one section and theother half in the other section of the divided chamber. The fuel passesfrom the vacuum tank into one of these sections or compartments aroundthe end of the pivoted vane and thence out of thel auge to thecarburetor. Thus the flow of fii el to the carburetor exerts pressureupon the pivoted vane and tends to lift one end of it, and thus move theindicating needle. The other side or section is connected with therotary pump system. This system is filled with gasolene, there being anaperture in which the vane is pivoted, but the leak in the system is sosmall as not to affect the record of the meter. The

flow of fluid about the end of the vane ops posite to the one impelledby the flow of fuel to the carburetor, varies in relation to the speedof the car, as the rotation of the pump is directly responsive to therotation of the speedometer shaft. The vane thus fluctuates in responseto the varying balance between the flow of fuel and the carburetor, andthe flow of liquid impelled by the pump.

It will be noted that the vane is pivoted below the center of the gauge,in such wise that, when either end of the vane rises, the aperturebetween it and the chamber increases, while the aperture between thelowered end of the vane and thechamber wall decreases. Thus a balance inthe position of vane and needle is rapidly reached. The balance betweenthe two impulses is recorded on the indicating scale in terms of milesper gallon, the needle, in Figure 2 tendin to move to the right, as theflow delivered y the pump increases in relation to the flow of fuel tothe carburetor.

It will be noted that the inlet into or the outlet from the chamberitself is in each case made closely adjacent the vertical partition, inorder to, give the pivoted vane a maximum possible movement.

I claim:

1. An indicator for internal combustion propelled vehicles, adapted toindicate the relation of the distance covered to the fuel consumed, andmeans for actuating it comprising a fluid chamber, a vane pivotedtherein, means for directing about one end of the vane the flow of fuelto the carburetor, and about the other end of the vane a flow of fluidadapted to vary in volume with the speed of the vehicle.

2. An indicator for internal combustion propelled vehicles, adapted toindicate the relation of the distance covered to the fuel consumed, andmeans for actuating it comprising a plurality'of fluid chambers, a vaneso pivoted that one side of it lies in each of said chambers, means fordirecting through one chamber and about one end of the vane the flow offuel to the carburetor, and means for directing through the otherchamber and about the other end of the vane a flow of fluid adapted tovary in volume with the speed of the vehicle.

3. An indicator for internal combustion of the vehicle, a fluid chamber,a vane pivoted in said chamber, means for directing about one end of thevane the flow of fuel to the carburetor and means for directing aboutthe other end of the vane the flow of fluid actuated by said pump.

4. An indicator for internal combustion vehicles, adapted to indicatethe relation of the distance covered to the fuel consumed,

and means for actuating it comprising a pump actuated in response to thelocomotion of the vehicle, a plurality of fluid chambers, a vane sopivoted that one side of it lies in each of said chambers, means fordirecting through one chamber and about one end of the vane the flow offuel to the carburetor, and means for "directing through the otherchamber and about the other end of the vane the flow of fluid actuatedby said pump.

5. An indicator for internal combustion vehicles, adapted to indicatethe relation of the distance covered to the fuel consumed, and means foractuating it comprising a rotary pump adapted to be driven from thespeedometer drive, a fluid chamber, a vane pivoted in said chamber,means for directing about one end of the vane the flow of fuel to thecarburetor and means for directing about the other end of the vane theflow vehicles, adapted to indicate the relation of the distance coveredto the fuel consumed,

and means for actuating it comprising a retary pump adapted to be-drivenfrom the speedometer drive, a plurality of fluid chambers, a vane sopivoted that one sideof it lies in each of said chambers, means fordirecting about one end of the vanethe flow of fuel to the carburetorand means for directing about the other end of the vane the flow offluid actuated by said pump.

7 An indicator'for internal combustion vehicles, adapted to indicate therelation of the distance covered to the fuel consumed,

and means for actuating it comprising a rotary pump adapted to be drivenfrom the speedometer drive, a fluid chamber, a vane pivoted in saidchamber, means for direct- 1ng about one end of the vane the flow offuel to the carburetor and means for directing about the other end ofthevane the flow of fluid actuated by said pum 8. An indicator forinterna combustion propelled vehicles, comprising an indicating elementadapted to indicate the relation of the distance covered to the fuelconsumed,

1 and adapted to be actuated by the balanced.

' impulse-of the 'flovv of fuel to the carburetor,

and the flow of liquid through a secondary pumping circuit, and pumpingmeans for motion of the vehicle.

' said circuit responsive to the speed "3: loco- 9. An indicator forinternal co ustion propelled vehicles, com rising an indicating elementadapted to in icate the relation of the. distance covered to the fuelconsumed, and adapted tobe actuated by the balanced impulse of the flowof fuel to the carburetor, and the flow of liquid through a secondary um)in circuit and um in means for P a a said circuit responsive to the seed of 1000- motion of the vehicle, and a apted to be driven by thespeedometer drive.

10. An indicator for internal combustion propelled vehicles, comprising.an indicatin element adapted to indicate the relation 0 the distancecovered to the fuel consumed, and adapted to, be actuated by thebalanced impulse of the flow of fuel to the carburetor and the flow ofliquid through a secondary pumping circuit, and pumping means for saidcircuit, responsive to the speed of 1000-" motion of the vehiclecomprising a speedometer actuatin member, a pump cylinder intermediate te ends thereof, and a pump rotor therein adapted to be rotated by said vmember.

11. An indicator for internal combustion propelled vehicles comprisingan indicatin element adapted to indicate the relation 0 the distancecovered to the fueL consumed, 1 and adapted to be actuated by thebalanced impulse of the flow of fuel to the carburetor and the flow ofliquid through a secondary pumping circuit, pumping means for saidcircuit, responsive to the speed of locomotion of the-vehicle, a meterinmember comrising a substantially circu ar fluid chamer, an indicatingelement comprising a vane therein pivoted oil the center of the chamber,and means for directing about one end of the vane the flow of fluid fromthe pumping circuit and about the other flow of fuel to the carburetor.I 12. Inan indicator actuated by opposed currents of fluid, a fluidchamber, and means for admitting saidopposed currents thereto, a vaneivoted therein in such relation to the wal s of the chamber that thedistance betweeneither end of the vane and the walls of the chamberincreases as the end of the vane rises and diminishes as the end of thevane is depressed, and an indicating needle connected to said vane.

13. In an indicator actuated by opposed currents "of fluid, a circularfluid'chamber, and me ans for admitting said opposed currents thereto, avane pivoted ad acent the center of the chamber, but spaced therefrom,and an indicating needle actuated by said vane.

14. An'indicator for internal combustion propelled vehicles, com risingan indicatin element adapted to in icate the relation o the distancecovered to the fuel consumed, and adapted to be actuated by the balanced4m ulse of the flow of fuel to the carburetor, an by a flow of fluidgenerated by pumping means responsive to the speed of locomtr tionof thevehicle, said pumping means comprising a s edometer actuating member, a

pump cylin er intermediate the ends thereof,

a pum rotor therein adapted to be rotated by sai member and yieldingmeans integral rotor against the ends of the cylinder.

Signed at Chicago, county of Cook, and A State of Illinois, th s 26thday of April 1921.-

ALFRED c. CHRISTENSEN.

